By Precious Ahiakwo-Ovie
In line with its humanitarian services mandate, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Rumuogba-Golden in Rivers State has carried out free medical outreach in the Rumuogba community in Obio Akpor Local Government of the state.
Speaking to journalists during the outreach services, which include eye screening/test, distribution of free reading glasses and Hepatitis screening and sensitization, the President of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Rumuogba-Golden, Rotarian Ngozi Okwum, said that the outreach is the first among the series of activities to be conducted by the Club.
“This is the club’s way of giving back to communities especially indigents and vulnerable members of the communities”. We had free eye tests, free reading and clinical fitted lens in the “Vision for All” project. Over 170 patients were attended to and about 150 glasses given out with other eye drugs.
“I am impressed with the turn out of the people, it shows many need medical care but due to paucity of funds, they could not access treatment. You can see that they came out both young and old with various degrees of illnesses”, there is a dire need to create awareness on the harmful effects of hepatitis to the body especially the liver, the need to know your status, get vaccinated and treated if infected. Over 170 people benefitted from this gesture,” said Rotarian Okwum.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Council of Chiefs in Rumuogba kingdom, High Chief Innocent Igwe, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the benevolence of the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Rumuogba Golden.
He appreciated Rotary Club for coming to their aid saying that, ”people around here find it difficult to access out-of-pocket treatment. So, coming here to get free medical attention is a big relief to us”.
A beneficiary of the outreach services confirmed that he received treatment for an eye ailment free of charge.
Another beneficiary said that she has been battling an eye problem for some time now and could not go to the hospital due to financial constraints.
”Today I’m a happy woman, I can see clearly with the aid of the glasses Rotary gave me,” she said.
The King of Rumuogba Community, HRH Temple Ejekwu also in his remark thanked the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Rumuogba Golden for finding his community fit to carry out the laudable project and promised to always support the club.
